we are intended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we are intended' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "We are intended to live harmoniously with one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Perhaps we are intended to view this as perverse logic from a somewhat disturbed individual.

The Guardian - Books

It's boring to have to point this out – repeatedly – but the UK isn't as cool and bright and lovely as we are intended to believe.

The Guardian - Books

For all the characters' faults, none of them is presented as inauthentic or standing for something that we are intended to disbelieve.

The Guardian - Books

Thus, in arousing fascination, even exhilaration, in the depiction of their sanguinary acts, we are intended to identify with and to understand the exhilaration that the Red Army Faction members felt in performing them.

The New Yorker

Caring for the sick, protecting children, ensuring we have breathable air and potable water, carrying out effective work for a fair charge – we are intended to find these things bizarre.

The Guardian

"It's much more difficult for us to do our job if we are not what we are intended to be: a court of nine," she said during a talk in Minnesota earlier this month.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

O.K. — not the way we are intending to go.

The New York Times

"We are intending to put human beings onstage," he said.

The New York Times

"We are intending to support it," a spokesman for Mr. Cameron told Sky News.

The New York Times

"We are intending to have a very broad ranging discussion with our quartet partners.

The Guardian

We are intending to fly from London to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, in mid-January.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are intended" to clearly express a designed or expected outcome, particularly when discussing roles, purposes, or pre-set objectives. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is setting the intention.

Common error

Avoid using "we are intended" when you mean "we intend". The former implies an external force or design, while the latter expresses your own, direct intention. For example, "We are intended to help" suggests someone else expects or designed us to help, while "We intend to help" states our own purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are intended" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) is the recipient of the action (being intended). It highlights an external purpose or design imposed upon the subject, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are intended" serves as a passive construction that indicates a pre-defined purpose or expected role, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and commonly used, it's crucial to distinguish it from "we intend" to accurately convey the source of the intention. The phrase is versatile across different contexts, from news and media to scientific publications, but tends toward a neutral to formal tone. When writing, ensure the context clarifies who or what is setting the intention, using the phrase to express designed outcomes and roles effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are meant to

Changes "intended" to "meant", focusing on a pre-determined or destined purpose.

we are supposed to

Shifts from intention to obligation or expectation.

it is our intention to

Transforms the phrase to explicitly state intention.

our purpose is to

Focuses on the defined purpose rather than intended action.

we are designed to

Highlights the design or inherent purpose of the action.

we aim to

Highlights the goal or aim of the action.

we plan to

Emphasizes the planned nature of the action.

we are created to

Focuses on the act of creation and its relation to purpose.

we are expected to

Changes the focus to an external expectation or requirement.

we are destined to

Suggests a predetermined fate or destiny.

FAQs

How can I use "we are intended" in a sentence?

Use "we are intended" to indicate a pre-defined purpose or expected outcome, such as, "We are intended to follow these guidelines".

What is a good substitute for "we are intended"?

Alternatives include "we are meant to", "we are supposed to", or it is our intention to, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "we are intended to" and "we intend to"?

"We are intended to" implies a design or expectation set by someone else, while "we intend to" expresses your own direct intention or plan. For example, if you are told to do it: "We are intended to deliver results", if you are the one deciding to do it: "We intend to deliver results".

Is "we are intended" formal or informal?

The phrase "we are intended" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it often appears in more structured or official communications.